Has anyone but me noticed the state of the US flag hanging from the pole at the KFC on 35th and Avalon? Tattered, torn, missing pieces. I am a veteran of foreign wars and have seen battle flags in better shape. I have called the store twice to ask the manager to replace the flag and met with indifference on both occasions.
I am not asking anyone to boycott KFC but if you do go point out to the manager about the state their flag and ask them to replace it.
Will do.
We noticed it on our way home today. Looks terrible.
Just noticed it myself a couple of days ago. I'm calling too.
redblack
Member Profile
if the colonel was alive, he'd be ashamed.
seriously, KFC management, why bother to run a flag up the pole if you won't respect it?
miws
Member Profile
Until/unless I go by KFC, I'll refrain from calling the manager, as I'd feel uncomfortable doing so if I couldn't honestly say I'd seen the flag.
However, those that have seen it, and are going to contact the manager might point out to him/her that once they, or the franchisee gets a new flag, they should be able to take the old one to the VFW, or American Legion.
Both are very close by, and I believe at least one of them offer proper flag disposal.
Mike
CeeBee
Member Profile
Just asked the VFW member across from me, he says the VFW doesn't offer flag disposal (yet), but the Boy Scouts do.
miws
Member Profile
Thanks for the clarification, Cee Bee. I was pretty sure, but not 100%, that I'd heard that they do.
Tried to check their website before posting earlier, but it was really slow in loading, so I couldn't confirm.
Mike
The local VFW had its own flag problem last year, it should be noted, and two local citizens took it upon themselves to replace it:
http://westseattleblog.com/2009/11/veterans-day-2009-neighbors-flag-gift-for-vfw-post-2713
miws
Member Profile
That must be where the tattered Flag+VFW correlation, that was stashed in the back of my brain, came from.
Mike
Miws..
i think the KFC in question is across from the West Seattle Food Bank.
If by "across from", you mean, "about a mile north of"...
We only have one KFC in WS - 35th/Avalon, across from orange-wrapped construction-resuming project, across from Taco Time, kitty-corner from 7-11. I've heard so much about this flag (someone e-mailed us about it before this topic even erupted), must go see for myself.
The Food Bank moved a few years ago to its new quarters at 35th/Morgan. Speaking of which, be sure to check out our story from a day or so ago regarding what they need for the holidays. If it's not linked on the Holidays page yet, it will be. They are able to collect food, including turkeys, as soon as tomorrow.
Sorry to sidetrack...
OK, let's have some fun with this one, shall we, folks?
But first, you must take the Upstanding Blogizen Pledge.
Repeat after me:
I __________ [state your name] do solemnly affirm that I shall always use the West Seattle Blog for Good and never Evil.
OK, now here's what we do:
1) Call the KFC at 35th and Avalon and ask to speak to the franchisee (i.e. the owner).
2) Explain that some crusaders on the West Seattle Blog have started a thread complaining about the tattered flag outside his establishment AND WORSE — that someone has even POSTED A PICTURE of said flag for all to see. (Casually mention the exact address of the post.)
3) Explain that the WSB is viewed by thousands of chicken-chewing West Seattlites every day and is accessible to people all over the world, including places as far away as say, Botswana.
When the owner asks where the hell Botswana is, ask him if it really matters where it is, the point being that at this very moment, Botswainians might be gathering in their millions at Internet cafes, ridiculing the crap out of the West Seattle KFC and pledging never to patronize that establishment even if they were starving — which they are.
4) Explain that the KFC tattered-flag post could go VIRAL at any moment, causing wave after wave of pitchfork-wielding villagers to descend upon the store — and not for the purpose of dining there, either.
5) Darkly suggest that if the flag isn't replaced IMMEDIATELY, the Internet crusaders may post EVEN MORE DAMAGING videos showing the FORLORN FLAPPING of the FORGOTTEN FLAG — or worse, that someone might start ANOTHER THREAD revisiting the issue of animal cruelty and reminiscing about the Great PETA Chicken Picket of 2007.
Oh my god, oh my GAWD! It's almost too easy!
Hm . . .
This post was started yesterday. Let's see how quickly we can get this little "misunderstanding" cleared up, shall we?
—DP
[Cue evil laughter.]
Dum-de-dum-de-dum . . . Oh look! It's a picture of the disgraceful KFC flag!!!
Dum-de-dum . . . Oh look! It's another picture of the flag!!!
How can KFC let this go on?
kbear..
you are right of course..
i somehow confused KFC and Pizza Hut (?)
i don't know if that says more about them
or about me
or simply about the state of my mind lately
whatever.. my apologies.
wow! that's horrible.
It is truly a disgrace, AK.
Seriously, one or two calls to the Management should resolve this matter. If not that, then a quick e-mail or call to KFC headquarters.
miws
Member Profile
Man, that is in bad shape. :-(
JoB, You were on the right track. ;-)
Pizza Hut is one of the sister brands to KFC, along with A&W and Taco Bell.
Mike
Unbelievable!
I never cared that KFC, always got to Burien for my chicken.
charlabob
Member Profile
Anybody know why KFC has a flag? I'm just a little wary of flag-waving businesses. Maybe it's my 70's sensibility :-)
redblack
Member Profile
DP: i can't figure out how to insert an insult about the double-down sandwich into this post.
in any case, does anyone know the dimensions of the tattered flag in question?
i'm sure that we civic-minded folks could acquire a nice, new american-made flag pretty inexpensively.
http://www.amazon.com/American-United-States-Nylon-Flag/dp/B000CMDSFK
what do you know? less than $20 from amazon.
in addition to being a good gesture, it might shame the owner/franchisee into taking better care of our flag.
Redblack...
if you fly.. i'll help buy..
just let me know how much this gesture is costing me:)
joanne at brayden dot org
miws
Member Profile
charla, the McDonald's across the street from me has a US Flag, and below it, a McD's Flag.
They're my wind gauge. :-)
Mike
I just posted a note to their corporate website too.
HunterG
Member Profile
wow, thank you for posting the photo.
my veteran loved ones would be aghast.
Maybe they are making a statement about the state of our Union.
I just left feedback on the KFC corporate site, asking them to contact the owner/franchisee about properly retiring the flag.
Dave.
thanks, Dave :)
It's still there this morning.
I agree 100% that it's not in good condition. But, be careful what you wish for. KFC used to be known as KENTUCKY Fried Chicken. Our stars and stripes could be replaced with a Confederate Flag. . . . .
Now that would cause more than a few raised eyebrows!
austin
Member Profile
It is still Kentucky Fried Chicken. Says so real big right on the building in question.
Thanks for the correction, Austin. Between 1991 and 2006 they were known simply as KFC due to a copyright disagreement with the state of Kentucky although there were many theories as to why they changed their name (including mutant chickens and a health conscious market that found the word "fried" unappealing). Apparently that was resolved in 2006 and they went back to Kentucky Fried Chicken. I was unaware that they worked it out. . . . http://www.snopes.com/lost/kfc.asp
No more double downs for me!
Plus, that drive thru is almost impossible to use.
biankat
Member Profile
wow. can't believe the state of that flag. i just submitted feedback on the corporate site as well.
I don't know how much crosspollination there is since I shared this on the WS Blog FB page last night but in case nobody here is the person who posted there about getting through to corporate - check out the comments. And let us know if you spot anybody up there taking action - we drive through the intersection at least once daily and will be on the lookout too.
http://www.facebook.com/westseattleblog/posts/178345132179231
JoB & redblack: I like your pragmatic thinking, but I recommend waiting a week or two before letting KFC off the hook by buying a flag. If you bail someone out too quickly, it can send the wrong message . . .
I suspect the franchisee can afford to buy his/her own flag, and it's not like he/she hasn't been warned. After all, jabog33 has contacted the store twice and was ignored.
Let's just wait a bit to see if we can nudge KFC into doing the right thing on their own, shall we?
–David
Below I have linked to a low-light video of the KFC flag in motion. The video was shot from the northwest corner of the store, facing east, and shows the store itself in the background.
http://roominate.com/blogg/fail/kfc_flag_fail.avi
Sorry about the poor quality of the video. If anyone wants to shoot their own *.avi footage for me, I'll be happy to post that on my site instead.
DP_Editor at Comcast.net
if you want the flag today you can go to any funeral home, they usually have one, and would probably sell it to you at cost if you tell them why you want it. honestly for all the 'knicker twisting'(borrowed cuz it's great) i don't see much action of good will toward creating a solution to a local businaess owner who is probably struggling mightily in these difficult economic times. really you're gonna tattle to 'corporate'; be kind, be supportive, introduce yourself and present them with a new flag...maybe make a new friend and help someone learn more about your viewpoint. it seems so much more west seattle-like than wasting all this energy and time trying to capture the most unflattering video or picture.
We're talking about a corporation that kills upwards of 750,000 chickens a year, all of them raised in inhumane factory conditions in order for them to provide a product at a very low price point. Some of their suppliers have been exposed for throwing, slamming and kicking live chickens. As if mechanically de-beaking them isn't cruelty enough. Not to mention their salt and fat-laden food and its contribution to heart disease, the number one killer of men and women in the US annually. But no, you're right...a tattered piece of fabric is worth everyone getting their panties in a bunch over.
Redblack & JoB - I'm in if you decide to purchase a flag.
The Flag has been taken down.
honestly...already done and delivered to a very kind manager. lets move on.
Shfy1
my offer for a donations still stands..
Now if anyone has energy toward anything else flag-wise ... I still don't think Mac at Mac's Triangle Pub has tracked down whomever could help solve the issue of lighting the flagpole veterans' memorial there at Delridge/Roxbury ...
Victory! Victory!
That's our cry!
V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!
Shfy1: a shredded flag might be a great big nothing to you. If that's the case, fine; move to the next thread, and let us handle it. But consider something: the flag really means a lot to some people.
Hopefully the franchisee at KFC now realizes that many folks in WS DO care about the flag. In my opinion, this was a relatively gentle way of handling a problem with a businessowner in the community, and it illustrates how we all can use this Blog effectively. (For another example, see the thread about the lady who was giving dog treats out; that too was handled gently and effectively.)
Just to recap, here's what happened:
— Somebody was doing something wrong.
— They got called on their bad by a single person.
— They ignored the person.
— They got called on their bad again by a whole bunch of people.
— They fixed their bad.
NOW we can move on.
Shfy1: To the extent you helped on this, good on you.
Good on everybody, in fact.
And God bless us, every one!
–David
charlabob
Member Profile
somebody actually bought them a flag???????
How come my chicken has stars in it?
charlabob..
someone just bought the community a flag.
it just happens to be flying at the KFC...
redblack
Member Profile
jo: good point/justification. :)
charla: mutated chickens are 'mericans, too. and their footprints still markedly resemble peace signs.
wsb: the park needs an electrician to run some conduit, no? from what source? and install high-wattage lighting? through masonry, if i recall correctly? brick sidewalk?
i found the veterans' day link, but there are very few specifics on what is needed to get the memorial lit properly.
any chance of a more comprehensive write-up and call-for-action?
this could lead to some tax-deductible charitable work for my boss on the sidewalk work - if he's interested, that is. if not my company, then certainly someone else's.
Cait
Member Profile
http://www.ceharger.com/raggedflag.htm
I heard this read as a poem last week for Veteran's Day, so I guess I've been looking at it differently. I'm glad it was replaced, however!
You must log in to post.
All contents copyright 2012, A Drink of Water and a Story Interactive. Here's how to contact us.
No photo reuse without permission.
Entries and comments feeds. ^Top^
westseattleblog
West Seattle Blog
West Seattle Blog